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Innuos Digital Players - Innuos Zenith MK2 vs Zenith MK3 or ZEN MK3

Used Zenith MK2's and new ZEN MK3's are around the same price point. I am assuming that the Zenith models may be the sweet spot in the Innuos line. A new Zenith MK3 is above my price range but I do wonder how much of a sound quality improvement there is between the Zenith MK2 and Zenith MK3. Recently I got a Lampizator Amber 3 DAC with the newest USB interface which has built in superclocks. I was shopping used Lampizator's in the higher models when someone suggested that, with the ongoing technical upgrades the new Amber 3 may actually sound better than older higher end models. With that dynamic in mind, I wonder if the same could be true of the ZEN MK3 vs the Zenith MK2?
oglefront
oglefront OP
26 posts
 
I am now very satisfied with my system's sound quality, especially with the recent addition of Daedalus Audio Apollo 11 speakers and a Lampizator Amber 3 DAC with the most current PCM "engine 53" and the just introduced USB interface which will be used by all models of Lampizator DACs. It's a sonic upgrade and it has its own superclocks built in. It will also work with any OS without needed a firmware flash." Thus, at this point, I am more concerned that a new component will not detract from my current system's performance.




nquery
103 posts
 
@oglefront I don't see any reference elsewhere to Lampizator changing their standard USB interface from an Amanero board to what sounds like a proprietary implementation. Can you provide a link or some more info?? I am looking into the Amber 3 and so this is important info - thanks!
oglefront OP
26 posts
 
The Lampizator website may not have been updated. It took me a while to find that their newest DACs were no longer 2R2 but, across all models, they started using "PCM engine 53", My Amber 3 had to go back to Poland for a repair so I asked that they install any upgrades while it was there. That is when I was told about the newer USB interface. When I replace an interconnect with a better one that is supposed to do all kinds of wonderful things, I am never sure if I hear much of a difference. I really heard a very positive difference in my Amber 3 when I got it back with the new USB interface. I suggest that you contact LampizatorNA for direct information. Also, be sure to discuss the exact types of digital inputs you want - some are standard and some will be optional for around $200 or so. Good Luck
oglefront OP
26 posts
 
nquery: Just contact LampizatorNA through their website. The USB information came from Lukas Fikas through Rob Reich at  LampizatorNA.
If you sent your last question by twitter - it did not show up on this discussion.
nquery
103 posts
 
@oglefront not sure what you are referring to re. twitter. I am just posting on the forum directly.

Anways, I did indeed confirm with Lampi that they have recently updated the standard USB implementation from an off-the-shelf amanero 384 board to a proprietary in-house board, that they claim has improved sound quality and compatibility. I assume that they will provide their own firmware updates if/when necessary. Maybe this is part of the reason the Amber got a price bump on April 1.

Thanks for the heads up!
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